Late Autumn is one of the most magnificent times to visit Japan. Starting from October, leaves in the far north of Japan begin to change colour, gradually spreading southwards. By mid November, the fall foliage hits its full stride in the regions around Kanazawa. This explosion of colour brings people from around the world to visit Japan, famous as being one of the world's most forested countries.
Kanazawa in particular is a fantastic area to spend a few days following the fall foliage: the city has easy links to some of Japan's most stunning scenic views, it's a great break from the crowded areas of Tokyo and Kyoto (making a great stop-over as you move from one to the other!), and Kanazawa is filled with rich history and plenty of cultural experiences that make a perfect accompaniment to the splendour of the leaves.
This page will take you through everything that you need to know to get the best of the fall views in and around Kanazawa.
Where is Kanazawa?
Kanazawa is a medium-sized city on the coast of the Sea of Japan. It sits in the north-west area of the Chubu region, Central Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture. Kanazawa was once one of the nation's wealthiest and most populous cities thanks to its wealthy samurai lords, the Maeda Clan, but fell into decline after the era of the samurai ended. In recent years, Kanazawa has re-established itself as a tourist destination thanks to its well-preserved historical areas, rich craft traditions, accessibility and access to remote sightseeing areas.
If you're on the fence about whether to include Kanazawa in your Japan itinerary, check out our page on "Why You Should Visit Kanazawa" to get the full pitch!
When to See the Best of the Autumn Leaves in Kanazawa
Kanazawa's red autumn leaves are expected to be at their peak around November 30, according to predictions by Nippon Weather Co., the governmental agency for weather monitoring in Japan. This is around six days' later than average. Trees with leaves that turn red in the region are largely Japanese Maple.
Meanwhile, the yellow autumn leaves are expected to be at their peak by November 10, which is in line with the region's average. Most of these trees are gingko.
Where to See Autumn Leaves Around Kanazawa
While Kanazawa itself isn't particularly mountainous, meaning you'll have to leave the city itself to really get into the fall foliage, there are several areas within Kanazawa itself that are must-sees for any nature lovers.
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is one of the three Great Gardens of Japan, constructed based on ancient Chinese garden philosophy centered on tranquillity and harmony. There are dozens of varieties of trees within the garden and all hit their strides at different points in the year. This gives Kenrokuen a great gradation of fall colours.
Starting in October, the garden also opens at night to illuminate the leaves from below, adding a whole new depth to the experience.
Higashi Chaya District
Kanazawa's traditional geisha district, Higashi Chaya, sits at the base of the Utatsuyama Mountain. During the peak fall foliage season, the historic buildings of the district make the perfect subject to frame the leaves in the background. While most of the shops will be closed, sunset is the perfect time to get that golden glow on the tree line.
Hakusan White Road
This driving route through the Hakusan National Park is considered one of Japan's most scenic. It's also only open four about 4 months of the year - from July to November - which makes it difficult to time right. If you're looking for fall views, though, it doesn't get much better than this. The 33km route takes visitors to some of the highest viewpoints in the region, past flowing waterfalls and down in deeper parts of the valleys. All of these views come together to make a truly awe-inspiring journey. The final stop on the White Road is an observation deck where you can see down to the thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawa-go.
Small Group
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road and Shirakawago Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
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- Kanazawa
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- Kanazawa
Kurobe Gorge
The Kurobe Gorge Trolley Train is one of the region's most famous sightseeing attractions. The 2026 fall foliage season is expected to be a sort of homecoming for the railway, as half of the full route has been closed due to ongoing repair works after the January 1, 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. The railway operator announced in July that the full route would reopen from October 1, 2026, so visitors to Japan will have the chance to see the valley in its full splendour! Peak season is expected to be from the last week of October to mid November, so don't miss out!
Recommended
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen
- Spots:
- KanazawaKurobe Gorge
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- Kanazawa
The Shogawa River
The Shogawa River is one of the longest and largest rivers in central Japan, connecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go deep in the mountains to the Sea of Japan. Today, the Shogawa River Sightseeing Cruise operates along a scenic stretch of the mountain valleys to give a taste of the region's majesty. While the operators consider the heavy winter snow to be their peak season, our local guides say the fall foliage is the true gem.
Recommended
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Beautiful Amaharashi, A Big Buddha and the Shogawa Valley River Cruise
Things to Do In Kanazawa
We know it can be overwhelming planning your Japan trip. If you're looking for some more ideas on what to do in Kanazawa, look no further than our guide on Things to Do Around Kanazawa. It has everything you need to make the most of your time in the city and recommendations for other stops along the Hokuriku Arch to make the most of your time in this wonderful region!
Of course, we have plenty to help you dive deep on some more niche aspects of Kanazawa as well! If you're interested in visiting onsen, we have a handy guide on tattoo-friendly onsen around Kanazawa to help get you started. If you're looking to collect shrine and temple stamps, we have recommendations on the Best Goshuin Near Kanazawa. If you're visiting in summer and fancy a trip to the beach, we've got you covered with our Best Beaches near Kanazawa guide.
If you or your travelling companion is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, you may want to check out our page on Kanazawa for Vegetarians and Vegans for some food recommendations. Photographers will definitely want to check out our page on the Best Photo Spots in Kanazawa. If you're a fan of Pokémon, be sure to check out our page on the region's Pokémon Manhole Covers! Finally, if you're looking to pick up some souvenirs after your time here, check out our page on the Best Souvenirs to get from Kanazawa!
